SGRAC AGM, 23rd June 2006
PAT and Dennis Woodward were honoured at the club's annual meeting when the Stubbington Green stalwarts picked up awards for their services to the club.
The couple have been part and parcel of the club ever since it was formed 21 years ago, and were founder members. Pat was once the club chairman, while Dennis has been editor of the Green Runner right from the start.
Both were awarded the Services to the Club award at the AGM which was held at The Crofton pub in Stubbington. The award coincided with the news that Dennis is to step down from editing the Green Runner - although he will still be involved with the printing since the photo-copier remains primed in the Woodward's spare bedroom for action!
To mark Dennis's retirement, he was presented with a bird table by chairman Mike Clarke. It's understood that the bird table wasn't "cheep" and that Dennis was "trilled" with the bag of bird seed. Someone will be appearing before the beak next week for these jokes!
Pat is stepping down from the post of membership secretary, but Dennis was nominated and appointed to the position at the AGM.
The other major award was the Personality of the Year went to Colin Elderfield for the tireless work he does at the club, the encouragment he gives to other runners - as well as his entertaining fashion statements!
Mark Le Gassick won the Chairman's Points League title, Ryan Gunner was named junior male athlete of the year, Ellie Crane won junior female, and Dan and Lloyd Payne jointly claimed the Junior Cross Country Points League award.
The AGM was well attended, and featured reports presented by secretary Mark Le Gassick, a Hampshire Road Race League and track & field report from Mike Harper, Andy Simpson reflected on a busy season of cross country, and the treasurer's report was also read out - subscriptions will stay the same this year - £15 for single membership, £20 for a couple and £25 for a family membership.
Gary Littlecott, who will be race director for next year's Stubbington 10km, also updated members on progress of the event, which takes place on January 14, 2007, and revealed that ChampionChip timing will be introduced for the first time.
Dennis Woodward said that in the July edition of the newsletter membership renewal forms will be sent out. With the forms there will be a tick box asking members whether they want the Green Runner still sent to them in paper form, or if they would like it e-mailed to them. He said that Dave King will be taking over editing the Green Runner from September.
It was also announced that there are plans to hold a presentation dinner in November this year in place of the traditional club Christmas party. Stubbington's social committee are currently finalising details of date and venue which will be published shortly.
There was little change on the committee. Chris Hall had initially stood as chairman, setting up an intriguing leadership contest with Mike Clarke which had not been since the Lib Dems leadership wrangle. However, Chris decided not to stand citing the ear-bashing he might get from his wife Wendy if he became chairman, and the need to concentrate on Pompey's relegation struggle next season.
So Mike Clarke retained the chairman's role, Mark Le Gassick stayed as secretary and Ann Rawlins as treasurer. Chris Hall will be men's captain for the year, Chris Haskell remains as ladies captain and Dennis Woodward steps into the role of membership secretary.